Maitland's leading domestic violence support service is calling on Council to help raise awareness of the continued prevalence of the issue around the Hunter.
A recent study by the NSW Government's Bureau of Crime Statistics shows Maitland is ranking above the state average in domestic violence.
Carrie's Place was started in the mid-seventies by women who were aware of the limited resources available to those experiencing domestic violence in the community.
Maitland Council at the time helped start up the support service but reportedly have not been involved in recent years.
Manager of Carrie's Place, Jan McDonald, says the service is vital to the community.
"We service the needs of about three and a half thousand women who are experiencing domestic violence across the lower and upper Hunter and we also service the needs of about 600 women who are fleeing from domestic violence and are needing accommodation support."
Jan McDonald says it is an "all of community issue" that needs more focus on primary prevention.
She says in the Maitland area "in the last four years we've had one domestic violence homicide each year, two of which have been with children."
Jan McDonald is calling on Mayor, Loretta Baker,
and fellow council members to form a "united front as a way to address the high rates of domestic and family violence in the Maitland LGA."
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| Picture: Carries Place |
